Bad Dad

I don't know about in your household, but in ours, Dad does things differently than I do.  Is this a bad thing? Is he a "bad dad?" 

In the hilarious children's book, Bad Dad by Derek Munson, Dad also does a lot differently than Mom. Dad lets the kids keep their rooms however the like it (messy!), bans brussel sprouts from the table, plays ball inside the house, lets the kids stay up late and watch scary movies....he's bad, that dad.  Dad even falls asleep on the couch because he was up late playing video games. Again. 

But is he really that "bad?" 

No, of course not!  Just like in my household, different doesn't mean bad. Sure, there are some things that Dad does that I have to laugh at (ice cream at 10 am on a Sunday doesn't seem like a great idea, especially before naps!) but Dad is his own character.  He parents on his own.  And that's the way it should be. Appreciating those differences (and sometimes laughing at them) can be healthy for everyone. 

In this book, Dad buys the children drum sets and lets them play even though they are loud, gets them a hamster, would fight grizzly bears, and always tries hard.  He's not that bad at all, actually.  He carries them to bed and makes them laugh. 

We just loved this book by Derek Munson, the same author who wrote Enemy Pie (reviewed on this blog several months ago.)  It's such a wonderful reminder to families everywhere that everyone does things differently and to appreciate Dad for all that he does.  It makes a great book to read with Dad for Father's Day! 

You can buy this book right here on our blog for 10% OFF and have it shipped directly to your door. Just check out with PayPal below.  We appreciate you supporting The Storybook Shoppe the only children's bookstore in the Bluffton, Hilton Head and Savannah area. 

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The Story Blanket

Because I have been a customer at The Storybook Shoppe for a few years now, Miss Nancy has really gotten to know which books our family loves. It's not just me that she does this with.  She knows hundreds of local children and their parents and always provides personal recommendations based on their interests. It's one of the things I love most about this charming shop. 

The Story Blanket by Ferida Wolff, illustrations by Harriet May Savitz, is right up my alley (and therefore my son and daughters!) I tend to gravitate towards books about peace and harmony, the world being interconnected, sharing and love. I just like to read stories that teach these messages.  The Story Blanket is about Babba, a woman who reads to children on a beautiful story blanket each week.  One day she discovers a few of the children need socks, but she has no yarn.  As she unravels the story blanket to make nice warm socks for children in need, a scarf for the mailman, a shawl for the grocer, the blanket gets smaller and smaller. When the village people learn all that Babba has done for them, they return the favor. The blanket becomes big again with the help of a village. 

We enjoyed the whimsical illustrations in this picture book, too. Not overly realistic but simplistic and colorful -- just perfect for children. 

My four-year-old daughter, Molly, understood this story implicitly and I marveled at how she picked up on it so easily. We spent a few minutes after the story was finished talking about nice things to do for other people, what a "random act of kindness" is and how we could make the world a nicer place.  Really, we did! And I love that a book can genuinely spark that conversation. 

You can buy this book right here on the blog, for 10% OFF.  Pay with PayPal and we will ship it to door! It makes a great gift and we appreciate you supporting our local bookstore.  You can also shop online for dozens of other selections in our new online store: http://www.thestorybookshoppe.com/online. 

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Loveykins

This is a wonderful story about Angela Bowling who adopts a bird and a humorous tale of how she spoils the bird rotten.  It's a classic story of an overbearing "mother" and what happens when you try to tame a wild animal.  (Hint: it doesn't work out! He needs rooms to spread his wings but he'll come back for a visit!) 

Loveykins, written and illustrated by Quentin Blake, was recommended to us by Miss Nancy at The Storybook Shoppe and we just laughed out loud when reading this one! Between her feeding the pet bird, Augustus, chocolate cake and eclairs to her wrapping him tightly in scarves and blankets while walking him in a stroller with an umbrella to protect him from the sun or rain..... we just got a kick out of it here in the O'Regan household. 

Sir Quentin Blake is the Brittish illustrator of many treasured children's books, famously including books by Roald Dahl. He was born in 1932 in England and "has been drawing ever since he can remember."  He was a teacher at The Royal College of Art, curated work at The Musee du Petit Palis in Paris, The National Gallery and the Brittish Library.  He's an accomplished and talented illustrator and writer with hundreds of acclaimed books for kids, and seems to have a witty sense of humor. 

Visit his website: http://www.quentinblake.com/ to learn more about this author and learn why think he is just brilliant. Buy this book now, it makes a wonderful gift for a child and great laugh for adults and children alike. Save 10% OFF the list price and have it shipped directly to your door. 

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Someday

Here's a book that I want to buy 10 copies of and give to each of my close friends that have children. It really is that good.  And if you have kids and don't read it and have tears in your eyes, or at least get choked up, I would really be shocked.  Someday by Alison Meghee and Peter H. Reynolds was recommended to me by Miss Nancy at The Storybook Shoppe, and is the story of a mother's love and all of her wishes for her child to experience life to the fullest. Bring out the tissues and get ready! 

This story goes through each stage of a mother/child relationship. 

This is true, isn't it?  Sometimes I watch my kids sleep (though it sounded creepy to me before I was a parent, there's something about seeing your kid so peaceful and dreaming!) 

And then you don't count their baby toes and fingers anymore, and don't watch them dream as much. All kids grow up... 

And then children have their own children.... This page reads "Someday I will watch you brushing your child's hair." 

And then "someday, a long time from now, your own hair will glow silver in the sun. And when that day comes, love, you will remember me." 

This book made me think about my mom and how she is now watching me raise my own children. It made me think that she won't be here one day and how sad that made me!  It made me think that I will watch my daughter brush her children's hair one day, and then I won't be here one day either.  And then the cycle will continue, generation after generation.  

Life is incredibly short and something truly to be cherished. I want Molly and Connor to feel deep joy, feel alive racing, singing and swinging, explore nature and the world around them -- everything and more that this book said.  We absolutely love and cherish this book, and I couldn't recommend it more. 

You can buy it now, right here on the blog, and have it shipped to your door.  Save 10% OFF the list price and support an independent bookstore! 

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All The World

One of our favorites in The O'Regan household for a few year now is Liz Garton Scanlon's peaceful All The World.  Miss Nancy at The Storybook Shoppe recommended it to us a few years ago and it's a treasured favorite. With Caldecott Honor Medalist Marla Frazee, this beautifully illustrated book lets children know everyone in the world is connected and the world is much larger than just them alone.  It's a book about harmony, peace, family, the environment, and respect. Though the topics are abstract, I believe the overall message is very clear. 

Molly and Connor love the rhythm of the simple sentences like this one. There are endless things to search for in the detailed illustrations. 

The ending, resounding message is "All the world is all of us." It's opens a broader discussion about what that means.

This book makes a wonderful addition to your child's library.  We also love giving it as a birthday present! You can buy it now right here on our blog and have it shipped to your door.  Have you seen our online store? It's open now!  Visit to shop for more books like these and shop for different ages and interests! 

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Superworm

Miss Nancy at The Storybook Shoppe recommended Superworm, a new book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.  My nearly 2 year old son, Connor, has branched out with the books that he likes (up until recently, his interest was limited to just a few favorites.)  He absolutely LOVED this one. Giggled even.

The brightly colored illustrations and friendly looking animals (bees, worms, slugs, toads, and other insects) all captivated his attention.  And the short, rhythmic sentences almost read like a song.  And who can resist a tale about a super hero?  Superworm can save a toad in trouble or a bee in a jam. 

But what happens when the Superworm gets stuck? Will his friends help him?  It's a story about helping your friends and good deeds that come back to you.  We just loved it!  This book makes a great addition to a children's library and makes a good birthday gift.  Toddlers and young children will love it because it keeps everyone entertained.  

You can buy this book right here online, just check out with PayPal. We offer 10% OFF to help cover the cost of shipping.  Check out all of our books now available online! You can shop based on age and interest and read personal recommendations written by our staff.   Check it out and shop now!

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The Country Bunny

It's hard to believe that Easter is next weekend!  Miss Nancy and her staff at The Storybook Shoppe have a wonderful selection of Easter books on the front table.  Books for each holiday are such treasured keepsakes. At our home, we display all the seasonable books on the shelf -- almost like decorations!  But more importantly when they are displayed, we read them more often.

Miss Nancy said we had to try The Country Bunny and The Little Gold Shoes by DuBose Heyward and pictures by Marjorie Hack.  It was originally published in 1939 and when reading it, I felt like I was reading a piece of my mother and grandmother. Reading books that past generations read when they were little make me feel good. I feel like I am passing it down to my daughter.

The story is about one mother bunny who manages to accomplish her dreams with 21 children in tow. It's a charming and inspiring story about the pursuit of what she's passionate about -- being one of the 5 Easter Bunnies!  My daughter loved the repetition and rhythm of the words (key for beginning readers) and the beautifully drawn illustrations.

Perhaps best of all for my daughter is the magic in the end.  When she nearly can't complete her task, she gets golden shoes to help her.  Magic! 

You can get this book shipped to your door just in time for Easter!  Buy it here using PayPal and checkout below.  We give 10% OFF to help with the cost of shipping.  We highly recommend this Easter book for you and your family and hope you enjoy. 

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